By Mass High Tech Staff
Northeast electric and gas utility
National Grid made an informal filing with the Massachusetts
Department of Public Utilities where it laid out its intention
to integrate solar energy into its service portfolio. The company
made the filing under the state's new Green Communities Act,
which was approved in July.
According to company officials,
National Grid's proposal is the first in the Commonwealth filed
under the new act, which allows utilities to develop and own
up to 50 megawatts of solar-generating facilities by 2010.
Initiatives laid out in the proposal
include National Grid developing, building and owning solar installations
across the state, starting at four company-owned locations in
eastern Massachusetts. In addition, the proposal lays out the
utility's commitment to "provide education and advice to
customers who want to participate in existing solar initiatives
as a supplement to National Grid's energy efficiency programs."
National Grid proposes to build
solar energy sites at company facilities in Revere, Dorchester,
Everett and Haverhill, at a total cost of approximately $38 million.
According to a company statement, the cost could be offset by
the amount of energy produced and available subsidies. If the
plan is approved, the company anticipates the installations could
cost customers in Massachusetts approximately 8 cents per month.
In Revere and Everett, the sites
will have a capacity of 1.5 megawatts, while Dorchester and Haverhill
will host 1 megawatt facilities.
Following engineering, licensing and permitting, and working
with the host communities, National Grid expects to break ground
on the new installations during the spring of 2009.
